Running head: ANALYSIS & ACTION PLAN 1

Analysis & Action Plan

ePortfolio

Sarah Creeden

Loyola University Chicago

ANALYSIS & ACTION PLAN 2

Analysis & Action Plan

During my time in Loyola University Chicago’s Higher Education & Student Affairs

master’s program over the past two years, I have discovered that the field of student affairs offers

a vast amount of opportunities in different functional areas for emerging professionals to learn and

develop from. My student affairs experience spans both my undergraduate and graduate careers

and, during both of these periods of my life, I have worked in residence life, student activities,

orientation, campus marketing, and first year experience. Each of these functional areas has

offered me nearly limitless opportunities for improvement and chances to develop. Additionally,

I had mentors in nearly all of these areas that taught me about the value of the field and how critical

it is to holistically support students while they are undergoing their very transitional phase that it

their time in college. I strongly believe that the field of student affairs is dynamic and consistently

changing and growing. With this concept in mind, I am aiming to work in an environment where

the staff is willingly keeping up with theories, concepts, and issues that are relevant to the field.

As an emerging professional, I am planning on continuing to seek professional

development opportunities and to find an institution to work at that supports my own passions and

endeavors. I plan on joining committees at my future institution and attending workshops relevant

to my work. In an effort to take my professional development into my own hands, I am planning

on continuing my memberships to the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) and the

American College Personal Association (ACPA). These organizations’ missions and

competencies align with my ideals, values, and beliefs revolving around the field of student affairs

and my own professional growth. Further on in my career, I am aiming to potentially join a

governing or executive board in either ACPA or NACA in an effort to work and learn on a national-

level.
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It is my promise to my future students that I will actively engage in learning for their

benefit. My hope is to someday be a strong professional who is well-versed in the field and who

is a mentor to those working towards their own degrees and work in the field. I am extremely

thankful for those that have guided me to where I am and I can only hope to do the same for those

who are on a similar journey.